PLANS to slash $23.8 million from the University of Tasmania budget could harm regional campuses, say the Greens.

Braddon MP Paul O'Halloran said campuses in regional Tasmania were integral to stimulating jobs and the cuts, revealed at the weekend, could have serious consequences for Burnie's Cradle Coast campus.

"Tasmania only has one university and UTAS is integrated closely within regional communities," Mr O'Halloran said.

"It is a driver of local innovation, research and skills development, which the community has fought hard to get established."

Mr O'Halloran said it was essential that funding for the campus's research and development and innovation hub was maintained, particularly money used to boost primary industries, natural resource management and education.

Comments on this story

John Christopher of Newnham Posted at 1:37 PM February 11, 2014

In April 2013 PM Gillard announced an efficiency dividend reduction to commence in 2014 at 2 per cent and 1.25 per cent in 2015. Savings would amount to $m900 and was linked to funding Labor's major education reform program. At the time I can't recall O'Halloran and McKim expressing their concern about funding to UTAS. Nor do I recall them holding public meetings to express concern about the reduction in funding and the implications to regional centres. Just more SOB from two of the many inept politicians we have in Tasmania.

mike basil of hobart Posted at 12:25 PM February 11, 2014

@Jason Glover - I believe they contract out any building works. The lecturers wouldn't have the time or inclination to build student housing and teaching facilities themselves....or maybe you were suggesting that a University doesn't need student housing and teaching facilities?

Andrew Grubb of Hobart Posted at 11:31 AM February 11, 2014

Hey Pat you may need to expalin to David what you meant it appears he missed the subtles. Sam Betts is right this is money the Labor and Greens federally ripped out.

pat wilson of hobart town Posted at 8:35 AM February 11, 2014

David Dobbin of Launceston. POSTED AT 2:57 AM TODAY. You're wrong again david. Your: "I think both actions are demonstrations that minority government does work" has nothing to do with inferring that "minority governments" work. The hard evidence that Tasmanians have to hand, the last disastrous 4 years under an unstable, self-serving and politically inept Green/Labor government proves unequivocally that minority government, in Tasmania, doesn't work. What this story points to is the hypocrisy and opportunism that enshrouds former Minister for Education, Nick McKim. End of story, move on.

pat wilson of hobart town Posted at 8:05 AM February 11, 2014

David Dobbin of Launceston. POSTED AT 2:57 AM TODAY. Tell me david, where are The Greens' election policies for 2014? Things seem eerily quiet in camp Green at the moment. Unless the hypocrisy on display by Greens leader and political opportunist, Nick McKim over the "I give a Gonski" debacle is to be considered The Greens cornerstone piece of election policy?

David Dobbin of Launceston Posted at 2:57 AM February 11, 2014

Pat - so McKim supporting Labor over Gonski means the Greens are 'umbilically linked to Labor' does it? So it follows that Hodgman supporting Labor over the pulp mill means the Liberals are also 'umbilically linked to Labor', does it? I think both actions are demonstrations that minority government does work when the parties act like mature grown ups and are not rushing about with thumbs in their mouths saying 'I don't want to play with him!'

Enoch Moriarty of Sandy Bay Posted at 10:52 PM February 10, 2014

UTAS and other universities have been lowering their entry requirements for many courses progressively and then the Uni hierarchy then either beat up their staff over attrition rates when weak students cannot meet the grade or pressurise staff to drop the pass rates so they don't mess up the completion stats. If cuts are needed, time to cull commonwealth support for the non-vocational courses that generate a 'degree for the sake of a degree' ..